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The Ultimate Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad Recipe

Close-up of a large bowl filled with creamy Tuna Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta, tuna, red onion, and celery.
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Make this classic, creamy tuna pasta salad. It is quick to prepare, perfect for a satisfying lunch, a simple dinner, or a refreshing side dish for summer picnics and potlucks. This recipe works well for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta or elbow macaroni
  • 2 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained well
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the drained tuna, chopped celery, red onion, and sweet pickle relish.
  3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, dill weed, pepper, and salt until the dressing is smooth.
  4. Add the creamy dressing mixture to the tuna and vegetable mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Fold in the cooled, drained pasta until it is fully incorporated into the salad.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the tuna pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
  7. Serve cold as a picnic side dish or main course.

Notes

  • For meal prep, store this salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often improve the next day.
  • If you prefer a lighter dressing, substitute all the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
  • You can substitute shell pasta with small elbow macaroni for a classic tuna macaroni salad feel.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/tuna-pasta-salad-ultimate-creamy-recipe/